building a rodent rack: spacing for mixing tubs, size of lumber questions

[SquamishSerpents]

Hey guys, going to FINALLY!! build our breeder rodent racks. hoping to keep 3 actively breeding colonies of ASF's, 1 "grow up" group to replace the old breeders, 1 bin for storing the weanling ASF's, and have 1 bin for cleaning rotation.

that gives me 6 bins in total, but i want to build 2 separate racks of 3. i'm going off these plans, but i'm going to adapt it for 3 bins instead of 4. i also am going to make the legs short enough so that the bottom bin is only about 2 inches off the ground, as both racks will be sitting on a table-top. my question is how much space to leave between the top (food/water area) and bottom of each bin? i am probably not going to be plumbing them with an automatic watering system, since there will only be 5 bins with rats i think i can handle changing out bottles. i guess just leave enough room for my hand to throw in a bit of food?

another question, these plans say to use 2" X 2" lumber for the shelf part. i know 2" x 2"s are only actually 1.5 x 1.5, but the lip on my bins is only 1" wide. that would leave a gap of 1/2" between the side of the bin and the rack. is that going to pose any problems?

i'm hoping to get this done tomorrow. i absolutely cannot wait, cleaning glass tanks is AWFUL, not to mention the rats seem to be really nasty; i'm assuming it's because they feel "exposed" all the time.

[OhhWatALoser]

i leave a few inches between shelves, basically just enough to give them food

well it would leave a gap between the lip of the tub and the rack, the side of the tub should be close to the rail.

[SquamishSerpents]

BAH!!!! i think i'm just going to support the tubs from underneath. might cost a bit more in lumber but it will cost me far less in painkillers for this massive HEADACHE!!

lol

[RichsBallPythons]

Make each level 1" bigger than the tubs and thats it. If not mistaken i made mine 20.75 wide which is 1" wider than the mortar tubs.

And depth can be 1" longer than tub to clearance. And to make cutting the screen easier, use a circular saw and turn the blade so it spins backwards and cut the screen when stapled to the pieces. I was able to do this all in under 15 mins of stapling and cutting

[SquamishSerpents]

ugh and OF COURSE the mesh only comes in 3' x 5' sheets, that means i have to buy 3 rolls of it...that's gonna be like $90. FML.

[RichsBallPythons]

they come in bigger rolls than that. I bought 2x10ft rolls and seen some 2x15ft rolls at Lowes.

[SquamishSerpents]

ya or so i've heard, lol. i hope i can find some. my local home depot NEVER EVER has what i want. today they were out of the mesh, and the 5' x 3' was the only size they carried.

it took me forever to even find the mortar tubs.

i guess i'll be hitting up Rona tomorrow crossing my fingers for the mesh.

[OhhWatALoser]

BAH!!!! i think i'm just going to support the tubs from underneath. might cost a bit more in lumber but it will cost me far less in painkillers for this massive HEADACHE!!

lol

im still not seeing why its a head ache? also making shelves under the tubs reduces air flow out of the tubs below it.

[JohnNJ]

I think you should reconsider using an automatic watering system. Changing bottles gets old quick. The tubs in the plan you're using are 8 inches tall which is too high for some ASF's to reach water. Take a look at the LARGE size litter pan from Petco.

I built my second rack different from my first and I'm dying to make a third because of the things I want to change from the second.

Good luck.

[jasbus]

Split a 2x4 down the middle, run rails instead of plywood. No air circulation problems that way, and plenty of room for food and water line...